Judge clears President Moise in money laundering investigation

PORT AU PRINCE, Haiti (CMC) — An investigating judge has cleared President Jovenel Moise of any involvement in a money laundering case that the authorities have been probing for the past two years.

Judge Brédy Fabien, in his report, said that there was no evidence to prosecute Moise, and on Wednesday Commissioner of the Government, Paul Eronce Vilard, issued an order of dismissal that discharges Moïse from any charge of money laundering.

Prior to his election in 2017, the Central Unit of Financial Intelligence (UCREF), a Government institution, concluded in a report there were indications Moise had laundered money through a personal account he held with his wife.

After analysing Moïse's bank accounts, UCREF concluded: “It is possible that Mr Jovenel Moïse manipulated funds that have nothing to do with his companies.”

Moise has always denied the allegation.

In 2017, UCREF said it had received its first tip against Moise in 2013, under the Michel Martelly presidency. The information in the report came directly from Haiti's financial institutions, UCREF's head Sonel Jean-Francois told journalists then.

The case resurfaced in January 2017 after police arrested Guy Philippe, an ally and Senator-elect, who was extradited to the United States to face charges of money laundering and drug trafficking.

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